The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-08
A NEW SWINDLING SCHEME.
Arrest of q Man Who Raised a P0stOfflce
Money Order from 81 to $50.

The recent telephone swndle by which several
hotel cashiers throughout the country paid out
sums running from $50 to $780, had hardly
ceased to be matter of news before the
shrewd confidence men put in operation another
scheme. 1t was not quite as ingenious novel
as an order through a telephone for the cashier
to oblige guest by paying for valuable pack
age that would be left for him at the hotel, but
it was as successful "A man of good address
and a well-flled grip would register at a hotel,
and in day or two after impressing the clerks
and cashiers with his style. would ask the favor
of having postal order cashed The cashiers
of the Leland at Cleveland, the Sherman at
Chicago, and the Arlington at Washington,
were among those who favored guests in this
manner. They shortly found that, the orders
had been raised from So to $50 or from ST. to $50.
As the discoveries came too late, no arrests were
made until Joseph Earhardt ostensibly from
Louisville. came to grief at the Bates House.
He arrived here Saturday evening with the
air of travelling man of somea importance.
Nobody thought of questioning This honesty
until o'clock yesterday morning, when Captain
Campbell came to the hotel to arrest him. The
officer, accompanied by Harry Thompson, the
book-keeper of J. r. Ross & Co., and Mr.. Cum
ningham, a clerk of the hotel. knocked at Ear
hardt's room, and said that gentleman wanted
to see him. Earhardt opened the door and be
came pale at sight of the officer, who told him
that he was wanted for attempting to pass a
forged check. Il had no forged check" hastily
said Earhardt
But you had a raised postoffice money or
der"
''That is the man, said the book-keeper and
after that Earhardt had nothing to say. He was
taken to the station house. and a few hours
hpfo
who remanded him to jail in default of 81 900,
to await the action of the grand jury.
Earhardt went to J. r. Ross & Co.'S
house Monday and representing himself as the
partner of Dan Fasig. of Terre Haute, presented
a letter of introduction to Major Ross from that
person Earhardt said he wanted to buy par
ticular brand of cigars, and the goods being set
aside and the bill for $50 made out he gave a
postofice order for $50 in payment, requesting
Sl5 in cash and check for $40 Major Ross,
thrown off his guard by the letter of introduce
sented to his arrangement Returning to the
hotel, he asked cashier Silsby to cash the check.
but he referred to Mr.. Reibold. who advised
him to wait until morning and have the check
paid III at bank Earhardt made no further at
tempt to procure ready money, and few hours
later he was arrested. In making up his cash
Monday evening, Mr.. Thompson saw that the
postofhce order mad been raised. The postofice
was then closed, and the 1noney-order clerk
could not be found until IL O'Clock that night.
He, with Mr.. Thompson. looked up the letter of
advice, which showed that the order for ST. was
issued Saturday. in Terre Haute, payable to
James Goodman, No s34 Main street, Indian
apois." In his room at the Bates House, a blot
ter found on the floor presented reproduction
of the figures and letters the order after it
had been raised He also had among his effects
letter heads of various firms in different parts
of the country, and papers showing that he had
passed nnder the names of j. +. Pierce, J. T.
Davis and S. J. Clements
Earhardt will give account of himself,
cept to say that he has an aged father and
mother from whom he wishes to keep any
knowledge of his trouble. He thinks lawyer,
when he secures one, will be able to defend him
successfully after the prosecution has made out
its case.